Thomas Street, Dandenong, from Walker Street intersection, about 1989

Thomas Street, Dandenong, from Walker Street intersection, about 1989

Photo supplied by Brad Farrell‎

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Corner Walker and Lonsdale Streets, Dandenong, 1980s.

Corner Walker and Lonsdale Streets before the Cenotaph was moved to the Pillars of Freedom at the Market end of Palm Plaza (formerly McCrae Street). McEwans in the background still standing strong with store size reduction.
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This image is undated, but the cars should help.
Looks to be sometime in the 1980's
-od-


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Dandenong Light Horse Brigade, undated.

The ghosts of Lighthorsemen past ride on at Dandenong High School, their memory preserved in the school’s official colours – dark blue, light blue and red. The colours – representing loyalty, faith and courage – pay homage to the school’s founding principal Percy Langford, a member of the 4th Light Horse Regiment and a veteran of the horrors of the battle for Gallipoli.

Percival Langford was a 30-year-old teacher at University High School when he enlisted for war on 18 August 1914 joining the A Squadron of the 4th Light Horse as a private. The regiment sailed from Melbourne on 19 October 1914 disembarking in Egypt on 10 December.

According the Australian War Memorial the Light Horse was considered unsuitable for the initial operations at Gallipoli, but was subsequently deployed without their horses to reinforce the infantry. The regiment landed in May and its squadrons were scattered to reinforce the infantry battalions already fighting the Turks.

The regiment was not reunited until 11 June. Much of the regiment’s time at Gallipoli was spent defending the precarious Anzac position, most frequently around Ryrie’s Post. In a letter written home to his University High School students Private Langford writes that he could hear the boom of guns as his boat approached the Gallipoli shore.

“The flash of the guns followed by the heavy boom gave out the impressions of continuous thunderstorm,“ he wrote. “That night we dug in, but before we had done it three of our men were hit, one of them fatally. “Three of us dug a hole about two feet deep and sufficiently long to enable us to lie down.

“However, it was only wide enough to allow us to lie on our sides. Before morning we were very stiff. “We dug four separate ’dug-outs’ during the day and were heartily sick of the task before night. “We were nicely and finally settled for the night, having returned with blistered hands and very tired bodies, we got work to prepare for the support trenches.

“We moved into trenches themselves about 8am and relieved troops who had been in them for a considerable time. “One trench in front of us was completely filled with their dead bodies, but I do not wish to give you harrowing details of the state of affairs. “You will be able to form some idea of the number of dead lying in front when I tell you that we collected 185 rifles from dead men on half the ground between us and the Turks.

“It was estimated that 7000 Turks lay dead in front of our trenches.“ On 24 May and by now a Lance Corporal Langford witnessed the truce brokered between the warring sides to allow the dead to be buried. “Midway between the trenches… men of either side stood with, on one side, the Red Cross flag and on the Turks the Red Crescent. They formed the dividing line between the two forces.

“Burial operations occupied the Turks until late in the afternoon. As soon as it was over a perfect hail of bullets of was fired by the enemy. “During my stay in the trenches… I did not shave, washed once in half a cup of water, observed and slept. “The first swim in the sea after coming out, was, as the girls would say ’heavenly’. “I wallowed, regardless of shrapnel, which was bursting at the other end of the beach. Never have I had such a swim before.“

The 4th Light Horse didn’t leave the peninsula until 11 December. For Percy Langford active service was over. He was discharged as medically unfit and returned to Australia on 29 January 1916. He saw out the rest of the war at the Melbourne Recruiting Centre, where he was promoted to Lieutenant. After the armistice was declared, Percy returned to the education department and was given the task of setting up a new high school at Dandenong.

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Dandenong Contingent of 1915

Nurses were often the unsung heroes of the Gallipoli campaign. Behind the front lines they patched up wounded soldiers and comforted men who were destined to die of their wounds and never to return to loved ones in Australia. More than 3000 Australian civilian nurses volunteered for active service during World War I. One was Milicent Miller.

In July 1915 the Journal reported on a letter Miss Miller sent to friends in Dandenong from the Australian military hospital at Heliopolis, Cairo. The grand Heliopolis Palace Hotel, built in 1910, was used to treat evacuated soliders. Famous pictures of it show a sea of hospital tents erected in the grounds of the hotel.

According to Miss Miller, the hospital had space for 1000 beds which made it a huge medical facility for its time. “Our brave Australian lads are conveyed to hospital after having acquitted themselves in such a glorious manner at Gallipoli in upholding the prestige of the British Empire,“ stated the Journal.

“Fighting against the best soldiers in the world and beating them too.
“Their deeds of heroism and dash in attack must make Australians feel proud of their countrymen in arms at war."

From Nurse Miller’s letter an idea can be formed of the magnitude of the task so cheerfully carried out by the surgeons, nurses, stretcher bearers and all engaged in attending to the wounded men who have been in the firing line. “It is good to read also of the brave manner in which the Australian soldier conducts himself when sticken with his battle wounds.“

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Corner of Lonsdale and Scott Streets, Dandenong, undated.

This main stay of Dandenong had many names over the years and saw a lot of changes to Dandenong, Can you place the building, its original occupant or it's original name?

The original hotel to grace this corner was the Shamrock Hotel, Later replaced by The Club Hotel and the Pub, The later was demolished to make way for the NAB building, now occupied by Chisholm.

Image provided by Russell Stredwick
https://www.facebook.com/russell.stredwick.5

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Aerial Shot, Gladstone Road, Dandenong, 1950s.

This 1950s aerial shot shows Gladstone road, with Princes highway running up the centre-right. Westminster carpet is visible on the corner of Gladstone road and Princes highway, David street running up the top of Westminster from the highway is still a dirt road past James street.

The Dandenong High School can be seen in the top centre-right of the image. Duplication of the highway had still no happened at this time, with a lot of vacant land still visible in the area. Westminster would last for a few more decades before being struct by fire.

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1st Scout Hall, 61 Princes Highway, Dandenong, undated.

The 1st Dandenong Scout Group (Armytage’s Own) was formed in March, 1928 by Mr Ted Swords, the first scout master. Apparently a prior group existed for some time in 1917, before their scout master was sent off to serve in the A. I. F. The scout troop called themselves Armytage’s Own, as a tribute to Miss Ada Armytage of Holm Park, 
country house) and Como House, South Yarra.

She was the benefactress of the troop. The Armytage sisters were strong supporters of the scouting movement, providing the Dandenong troop with a permanent camping ground on their Beaconsfield property and financial support. This association was formed when Lord Baden-Powell stayed with the Armytage sisters when he came for the World Jamboree at Frankston.

In 1933, the crenellated scout hall on the present site was built at the extravagant cost of £3000. The hall was paid for by Ada Armytage by a direct donation of £2000 and a loan of £1400. Ivan Dimant was the architect. It contained three patrol rooms, an office for the scout master, club room, Rover’s den, kitchenette, and troop assembly hall.

It had an overall floor space of 40,000 square feet. 93 It is still considered to be one of the finest and most distinctive of Melbourne’s early scout halls. A comparable contemporary example is at Footscray but it is far less imposing externally: that hall is on the Victorian Heritage Register. A broader comparison would be with the former Moondah gate house (1888) at Mt Eliza and the forestry school at Creswick.

The building is erected on the eastern corner of what was once known as Anzac Park (now Hemmings park) bequeathed by the late John Hemmings. The Hemmings family was well known in Dandenong as the owner of the brickworks which utilized Dandenong’s excellent clays and timber resources. The Brickyards on the Melbourne Road (now Princes Highway) functioned until the 1930s when the vacant land was taken
over by the Dandenong Shire Council.

In 1933 the Boy Scouts Association shared the 8 acre site with the Council and built their hall fronting the Highway. 94 Once the brickworks closed in 1929, the Council began to use the land as a rubbish dump; students from the High School can remember there being huge rats in the area. The scout hall would have initially been in a very insalubrious environment.

During the war the scout hall and the park, which must have been partially cleared, was used by the American Armed Forces as a hospital base, associated with their encampment at Rowville. The hall was partitioned and servicemen were treated in the hall and five other huts erected around it.

After the War the High School utilised the hospital huts as classrooms, gymnasium and for school social functions. All but one of the huts were later moved across the road to the school grounds. The wider community also made good use of the hall for meetings, dances, exhibitions and community events.

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Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, 1937

A view looking up Lonsdale Street in 1937, looking towards where it intersects with Scott street, There were a few interesting shops in this section, one remembered more than others by locals who would frequent it for a tasty bite, or one of the lesser mentioned services, Can you name it?

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Bellow is an excerpt from Reminiscences of the early days of Dandenong published in the Journal during the 1930s.

From about 1S58 coaches were the main link between Melbourne and
Dandenong, prior to the railway opening, coach was the method
cf travelling. There were many vehicles eventually on the road, in fact
each hotel ran a line at one time in the very early days. One connected with "Dunbar’s” Hotel, another with the “Bridge,” and so on. Dave
Bowden drove one coach, Thomas Dallimore another, and “Old George” drove for Cobb & Co.

There were coaches running from Dandenong to Cranbourne and the Bass; others to Berwick, and so on. These latter ran after the main road was made, as before that time horsemen carried the mail, the driving of a trap being an impossibility. Tom Murray, Tom McMahon, and other drivers, drove coaches, but they did not properly come within the range of the early-day drivers.

In 185S Messrs. Cobb & Co. built stables and offices at the corner of
the main and Pultney streets, and the large underground tank still remained in 1930 as a memento of the old coaching days. When Mr. Peter Evans bought the building, which he converted into a boot-making shop, it was often remarked upon why such a small establishment required such a large tank, but those who inquired were not aware that that large tank was not more than sufficiently large to water a big string of horses required for the coaches.

The coach from Dandenong to Bass ran three times weekly. Its original driver was George Wright ("Old George.”) He was followed by J. Moorehouse, after whom came W. Smiley, and the last driver of that line was Charlie Wilson. In 1S73 Cobb & Co’s coach left the Albion Hotel, Bourke street, for Dandenong, the fare each way being four shillings. Mrs. Dunbar ran a line cf coaches between Melbourne and Brandy Creek, and also between Melbourne and Tooradin, in 1876,


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Corner of Mason amd Walker Streets, Dandenong, late 1980s

The Church of Christ was still located in the building on the left (as their first timber building had been on Robinson Street). Nowadays this is the Cornerstone Contact Centre, offering regular meals and a variety of other services to the areas homeless and those in need.

Photos kindly supplied to page by Brad Farrell

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1934 Floods, Lonsdale Street from Foster Street, Dandenong.

Looking down Lonsdale Street from Foster Street towards Dandenong Park during the 1934 floods, It can be hard to imagine such a wide area of Dandenong being under water.

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In Dandenong's early days, the creek was always a problem. It was just a shallow meandering stream that would always flood the southern part of the town. It is hard to believe that from this point all the way down to the Cranbourne turn-off could at times be up to five feet under water.

The original crossing point of the creek was a further 50 to 60 feet towards the town centre, about in-line where the (Former) Dandenong Bowling Club is located. The area south of Walker Street was once very swampy and it took a lot of effort and cost to rectify it. The amount of filling needed on both sides was enormous.

Crossing the creek back in the early 1840's was at first negotiated by foot passengers by means of piles driven well into the ground, topped with a single plank and guarded by a hand rail. A primitive type wooden bridge was soon constructed and only lasted to the end of the decade. A new wooden bridge was built of more grander proportions but this too was destroyed by flooding waters.

A new stone bridge with two single arches was constructed in 1866 and lasted until 1919, also undermined by floods. This bridge was located at today's present bridge site. By this time the Dandenong Creek south of Clow Street had been converted in parts into a more drain like appearance.

This allowed water to flow more freely and quickly through the southern part of the township but it didn't stop the disastrous floods back in December 1934. Today, the Dandenong Creek through this area has been straightened and channeled as an urban stream and flooding is a rare occurrence.

Above text quoted from a Past 2 Present post:
https://www.facebook.com/Past2Present1

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Noble Park Railway Station, 1918-1930s

The Oakleigh to Gippsland railway line had stations at Springvale and Dandenong and as land near the Springvale station underwent subdivision into small farm holdings, owners down the line subdivided their land. In 1909 several holdings in the area later to be known as Noble Park were cut up for market gardens. One of the vendors was Allan Buckley, who is chiefly recognised as the founder of Noble Park, as it is named after one of his six children, Noble Buckley.

His other children’s names were given to streets, including Douglas Street where the shopping centre is located. The Buckley family school was opened in 1911, an Anglican church in 1912 and a railway office/stopping place in 1913. A public hall was built in the same year, which under the management of locally elected trustees, has occupied a strong position in the community.

Until the years after World War II Noble Park was mainly a farming community concentrated on market gardens, dairying and poultry. Small amounts of industry were near the railway station, along with housing. The town had six shops in 1923, and the 1933 census recorded 1507 persons.

Until May 1955, Noble Park was in the Dandenong shire. Severance was warmly greeted by Noble Park residents who thought that Dandenong shire had neglected their needs, and the severed shire was named Springvale and Noble Park. When the municipality was made a city in 1961 it became City of Springvale.

The present station was opened in the late 1960s after the original buildings were destroyed by an arsonist. A row of shops now occupies the site of the first station, of which no trace remains today. As part of the EastLink project, minor upgrade works were carried out, including improved shelter, carpark upgrades, and a security upgrade including brighter lighting and better CCTV coverage.

In 2015 the Level Crossing Removal Authority announced the Grade separation of nearby Heatherton Road with construction scheduled to start in 2016. The proposal will see the new station being elevated and moved closer to where the public restrooms presently stand.

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City of Dandenong Handbook. Circa early 1970's

Image courtesy of Lost Retro Melbourne‎

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Webster Street Level Crossing, Dandenong, 1970s/1980s

An old V-Line passenger train (with the outwards opening doors) crossing the Dandenong Creek, heading towards the station.

The Webster Street level crossing is visible in the right side, looking towards the trees Princes Highway.

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Royal Hotel, Corner Lonsdale and Walker Street, Dandenong, undated.

From the moment Mr Dunbar’s first hotel at 231–235 Lonsdale Street was completed in the early 1850’s it acted as the social headquarters for residents and visitors to Dandenong. It served as meeting rooms, held Dandenongs first court sessions, served as the early post office and rested teams of Cobb & Co horses in its stables. By 1877 (after he’d built another hotel next door) Mr Dunbar converted this original hotel into banking premises and a shop

These renovations were demolished nine years later by new owners to make way for the construction of this second hotel (The Royal) that would remain on that site for the next 80 years. The Royal was demolished in the early 1960’s to make way for the four storey AMP building which itself became a first in Lonsdale St, the likes of which had never been seen before.

At the time of demolition two deep wells (made from handmade bricks) were uncovered under 231–235 Lonsdale Street, that was said to provide
Dandenongs first building with its own water supply. The AMP building itself saw demolition as the new Civic Centre and Library was build on this and the former Mayfair site.

In the 1860’s Mr Dunbar was also responsible for the first property to be built at 221–229 Lonsdale Street. A two storey hotel that remained intact until 1922 when the hotel was replaced with an arcade and shops later known as the Mayfair shops. The rear of this property facing Thomas Street was subdivided, becoming the Boomerang Theatre that opened in 1924. In 1950 it became known as the Mayfair Theatre and was demolished in 1968.

Image source: Dandenong & District Historical Society
http://www.ddhs.com.au/

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Dandenong High School, Princes Hwy, Dandenong. Photo taken in 1971.

Dandenong High School has a very long and proud history from its very beginnings in 1919 to present. Originally the junior students were housed in the Dandenong fire station, while the seniors took classes in the Temperance Hall and Church of Christ as the first building was too small. The first headmaster was P. C. W. Langford who had served in the 4th Light Horse during the War.

In 1920, the new building on Princes Highway was opened, with the foundation stone laid by the Hon. W. Hutchinson, Minister of Public Instruction in 1919. The school was built on a 7. 5 acre site called Bushy Park Estate, which was purchased with a £1000 grant from the Dandenong Shire Council.

By the early to mid 1960s the Dandenong Sports Ground had been acquired and a house on High Street had become a caretakers residence. It was in the early 1960s that Dandenong High School finally achieved having equal numbers of both male and female students after an extensive period of female students outnumbering males.

Dandenong High School today has approximately 2000 students currently enrolled after the amalgamation of Cleeland Secondary College (former Dandenong Girls High School), the Doveton School and the Dandenong High School now forming two campuses spread over both the Dandenong High School and former Cleeland Secondary College sites.

Photo kindly shared to page by Anna Veldman
https://www.facebook.com/anneke.pereboomveldman

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Lonsdale Street, between Walker and Scott Streets. Photo dated 1912.

At this time Dandenong was still a small country town with a population of around 2000 residents. In the previous year Dandenong House had been built near the train station, boasting some 40 rooms, a dining room, ground floor tea rooms and an underground kitchen.

The Dandy Bacon Factory had also opened in 1911 bringing more business to Dandenong. Dandenong by this time had also had its own telephone exchange since 1908 with numerous local subscribers. Around this time the Mechanics Institute and local library were on the second floor of the Town Hall.

The Dandenong Market was also at this time still on the main street. The Albion at this time still had its majestic verandahs, The Bridge Hotel (the Jim Dandy), was at the opposite end of Lonsdale Street near Foster Street. The Turn Pike by this time was in place allowing the steam engines to either be turned around to return to Melbourne or be stored overnight.

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Shell (Subway Service Station), Cheltenham Road, Dandenong. Photo taken around 1947

The old Shell service station of W. Schoon and Son, known as the Subway Service Station, located on the left-hand side, heading towards the railway underpass, opposite Foster street, as you head towards the old Stock Market, on Cheltenham road. Formerly the underpass was the Hammond road underpass.

The Dandenong shell of Schoon, had one of the early wash mobile services, a relic of the early days of carwash services offered in the local area. Behind the Service Station was the old Sawmill (timber yard), which stood strong for many years, under various owners. Shell now operates at a site opposite the Dandenong Station on Cheltenham road.

The Sawmills (timber yards) have all moved from the CBD to larger premises on the outskirts of Dandenong, and in some cases have completely left. With public safety regulations being enforced, petrol stations were continually moved further away from residential and commercial premises, meaning an end to small proprietors who couldn't afford to move.

Photo supplied by Lyn Schoon‎

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Minster [Westminster Carpets] Carpets Fire, corner Princes Highway and Gladstone Road, Dandenong, March 1987.

Englishman Jack Dewes established Westminster Carpets at Dandenong, Victoria in 1948-49. The company initially produced low priced rubber bonded carpet for the floors of motor cars, but quickly adopted for use in homes and offices.

The manufacturing process produced carpet directly from carded wool, eliminating the spinning and weaving processes. Its 'Westminster' brand was a haircord floor covering initially made from 80% goat hair and 20% highland wool on a rubberised hessian backing, and produced in a large range of single colours. In 1954 the factory also released carpet tiles, 10 inches (25cm) square, in a similar colour range.

By 1965, Westminster carpets were being produced in 26 different single colours on 40 inch wide rolls, and were being made from a combination of goats hair and man-made fibers like nylon and Evlan.

In the late 1970s the company was renamed Minster, removing the West from its street facing signage.

The site is now occupied by a Bunnings store stands. By pure coincidence, Bunnings sells a Minster carpet brand.

Photo supplied by: Wayne Bishop‎

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Dandenong Bowling Club, Princes Hwy, Dandenong.about late 1990s/early 2000s.

Established in 1882, the local Bowling Green was the collaboration of a few local gentlemen after a meeting had been held in the Mechanics' Institute in March of the same year to discuss the forming of a Bowling Club. They erected their first clubhouse at the creek end of the lawns in the shade of an Algerian Oak (still standing) in Dandenong Park. In the 1950s, the Dandenong Recreation Club put before the committee of enthusiasts, plans to establish a Bowling Green at its Herbert Street site.

The Dandenong Bowling Green was not originally expected to last for more than a season, with some even scorning the very idea of having it. However, some 132 years later when closure was finally looming, the Bowling Club continued to maintain the lawns with the same high care as the gentlemen of the day who had given of their own.

For a long part of the clubs' history, a Croquet Club stood alongside the Bowling Club. In recent times to meet public demands for local space near Dandenong CBD, the future design of Dandenong Park meant the closure of both clubs, the Stan Prior Sound Stage may also yet face removal.

Before its closure, Dandenong Bowling Club was most probably the oldest surviving sports club in the Greater Dandenong area, having celebrated their Centenary in 1992.


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Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, Late 1960s

Taken from the McEwans side of the Walker street intersection, showing the old National Bank on the corner, with Woolworths and Coles still in their original locations and the old Bank of Australasia on the corner of Scott street. Vanity Court had been built replacing the old building used by the Tharle Brothers for many years as a butchers.

The Tharle family and the Journal have been intertwined throughout their time in Dandenong. Both arrived 150 years ago and Dandenong and District Historical Society member Rodney Edwin Tharle remains a regular reader today. His great grandfather, Barton Barnaby Tharle and his wife Louisa Jane Bradley migrated to Australia shortly after they wed on the Isle of White in 1863.

They settled on land on Dandenong-Frankston Road, Dandenong, in early 1864 and later moved to McCrae Street. They had nine children, including Barton Barnaby junior, who became a farmer and auctioneer. He in turn had seven children with wife Emily Jane Hunt and ran slaughter yards in Power Road, Doveton, and a butcher’s business in Dandenong.

In 1919 they brought their home in Macpherson Street from Jeffrey Macpherson. It had housed the private Dandenong Grammar School, which Mr Macpherson ran. Their eldest child, Barton, known as Bart, married Alva Sayers who played with the Dandenong Croquet Club for 40 years.

Bart started in the meat trade at the age of 14 and with brothers Frank and Victor (Vic), ran a butchery business in Foster Street after their father and uncles sold their butcher’s business in Lonsdale Street. When Frank and Vic decided to leave the business, Bart carried on and at one stage operated four shops.

Photo supplied by: David Smith‎

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Damon Bros Market Garden, Noble Park. 1962.

Fred Damon was the second son of Ted and Florrie Damon who, together with their children, ran a successful 15 acre market garden on Waverly Road for many years. His siblings were Albert, Harold, Allan, Alma and Keith. All the Damon siblings attended Mt Waverly State School.

In 1928, with a team of 14 horses, the family had moved a weatherboard house to their property from near Jordanville Station, giving them the honor at that time of being known to deliverymen as "the fourth house on the left from Warrigal Road".

By 1956 most of the Waverly Road property had been sold and the property in Noble Park had been purchased and he and his brothers had entered into a partnership in 1955. In 1963 their father Ted passed away at the age of 64 years old.

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McQuade’s Garage and Stables and Walker’s Bakehouse, 18-20, 22-24 Scott Street, Dandenong

Most recently, before demolition, being occupied by Raux & Sons and known as the Tin Shed. It was owned by two well-known Dandenong identities, E. P Walker and P. V. McQuade. A ratebook search has revealed that between 1917 and 1925 allotment 18/20 was owned by P. McQuade (Licensed victualler) when there was a garage and stables on a 66 feet frontage.

Max Oldmeadow speculated that this may have been where McQuade, who was licensee of the Albion Hotel round the corner on Lonsdale Street, provided accommodation for hotel guest’s horses and cars. McQuade left his mark with the naming of McQuade Lane, running off Scott Street, which almost meets the back of the Albion Hotel.

Blocks 22-24 were owned by E. P. Walker. The land had a house, bakehouse and outbuildings on a 100 ft frontage. He had various tenants, usually women, and apparently never lived there himself. Edward Percy Walker was born at Echuca and with his father owned a chain of stores at Tooradin, Lang Lang and Dandenong.

In February 1910, he paid £22 per foot for his property at the corner of Scott and Lonsdale Streets where he established a well-known corrugated iron grain store. He ran his hay and corn business for many years and gave the site the name by which it is still known, ‘the Old Tin Shed’.

In 1931, the ratebooks become vague about the site and Scott Street was rated as belonging to the Electricity Commission who had 8.5 acres. In 1925, the Electricity Commission had number 16 as a house for a linesman. In 1957, 18-20 and 22-24 were occupied by and used as a garage belonging to Central Motors.

By more recent times, before demolition, being occupied by Raux & Sons, these two gabled single storey buildings had timber frames, horizontally fixed corrugated iron wall cladding (some red Lysaght Orb), some weatherboard cladding to the front gables of both and corrugated iron roofing.

A red brick wing appears to have been added in front of the western building (22-24), sometime in the inter-war period. The interior was still partly unlined; there were timber ledge & braced doors across the eastern building’s entry (18-20); and some early brick flooring (possibly the stable area?).


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Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Picture dated between 1950 and 1960.

This section of Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, shows the Old Post Office alongside the Town Hall. The centre median strip trees are a few years after the palm trees had been removed. In the distance one can also see the Cenotaph still in its original position opposite the Post Office.

Of interest is the fact that in 1916 the St Mary's school concert was held in the Dandenong Town Hall to accommodate the large audience numbers which had completely surpassed the abilities of the school building at that time.

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Town Hall, Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Possibly 1980s

From a more Recent time (likely the 1980's), comes this image of the Town Hall. In the foreground the war memorial still stands alone in the center before being relocated to opposite the end of Cleeland street. Whilst in the background can be seen the red sign of McEwans. Sadly no date was provided with the picture.


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Corner of Walker and Lonsdale streets, Dandenong, Undated.

This view provides and exciting glimpse into Walker street before the construction of Dandenong Plaza, causing Walker street to now end at the corner of McCrae street. At the time this picture was taken McCrae street still ran through to near the Market, as the Palm Plaza section had not been closed to traffic yet.

The yellow traffic lights which graced this intersection for many years had not yet been installed. The pine trees were still new. along with a white glow to the newly erected Post Office along side the town hall. Waltons was still in the future Venture, then Dimmeys building and Woolworths still had its large store on McCrae street near the Market.

At this time the old field/oval used for the Dandenong Show, next to the market, had not yet been lost. With Maples up Lonsdale street, the collection of forgotten shops was still intact. Progress meant the end for some, and others wee taken over by more prosperous shops. This picture would have been taken from the former AMP building.

Photo supplied by: Brad Farrell

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Jack Jennings Garage and Service Station, Keysborough, article 1962.

Jack Jennings Garage and Service Station, Keysborough, Originally Chandler Road, Keysborough in 1947, later years on Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Article from 1962.

Jack arrived in Keysborough in 1947 with his tools and mechanical knowledge, pretty soon he had set up business in the building in the top picture. His mechanical skill were quickly recognized among the farmers of the area and his business grew quickly.

As his business expanded so did his premises. As well as the workshops, he built with his own two hands, a two-bay standard type outlet to market Caltex products, (see bottom picture in article). Jack worked very hard building his business up to six mechanics and two lubrication hands, attributing his success to his own hard work and the assistance given to him by Caltex staff.

Kindly shared to the page by Penny Harris Jennings.

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Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, undated

In this photo can be seen Titchers chemist barely in left), ES and A bank, Steve de Georges, Australasia Bank, Albion Hotel and a number of long forgotten places people shopped,


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131 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, 1973 and 2013.

131 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong - 1973 and 2013, 

40 years and still going strong. Some buildings remain the same.

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Douglas Street, Noble Park, undated

Roads and footpaths were same level often causing flooding.

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Noble Park Public Hall, during construction, 1925.

In 1913 Alan (Frank) Buckley and Charles Luxford were the registered proprietors of the land on which the Noble Park Public Hall now stands. Local residents set about raising some money and a small timber hall was erected. A trust, comprising Messrs Luxford, Maroney and Bunn, was set up, decreeing that the area should be used as a public hall.

In 1919 after Luxfords' death the two remaining trustees transferred the old hall and grounds to five trustees, Messrs Isaac, Beatty, Smith, Simpson and Luxford. Registered under the provisions of the Religious, Successory and Charitable Trusts Act, the salient points stressed and guaranteed by this action were that “the hall shall be used for public, educational, charitable and recreation purposes, subject to the provisions and management of the trust, thereby keeping it in the hands of the Noble Park Community for future generations.

In 1924, the trustees borrowed $4400 from the local council, the Shire of Dandenong, to erect a new brick hall. The title of the land was handed over to the council as security for repayment of the loan. The present Noble Park Public Hall was erected in 1925 and is a testament to the craftsmanship of the local builders, Wanke and Brown. Regular repayments occurred until the Great Depression that led into World War 2 and when revenue almost dried up the council took over running the hall for the next three decades.

In 1957 a packed meeting of residents was held in the hall and the legal position was clearly explained so that there was no doubt where the title belonged, and who should control the future of the hall. The debt was cleared with the Shire Council in October 1957 and five new trustees were elected, Mr Tom Copas, Mr G Luxford, Mr T Kirkpatrick, Cr. E Jenkins and Mr A.J. Paddy O’Donoghue.

During its time under Council control, the hall had become somewhat dilapidated, becoming in desperate need of proper care and renovations. To this end, the trustees set themselves the arduous task of taking care of the halls' as it had been the home of most local organisations at one time or another, with some local groups even having their beginnings stem from meetings that had been held in the hall.

In the late seventies, after many fundraising stalls by the Ladies' Auxilliary, trustees Messrs. John Bush, Paddy O'Donoghue, Bob Bell, Ray Fullerton and Mrs Pat Kampl, called a public meeting of residents interested in developing the complex. The meeting was held on June 24th, 1979, where it was resolved unanimously to establish a hall co-operative. Interested residents were asked to take out shares. It was soon realised that the $30,000 co-operative loan wouldn't be sufficient to fund the building program so the trustees themselves signed a personal guarantee to cover the extra $10,000.

Considerable delays in obtaining building permits caused the project to be held up for approximately eight months, finally in March, 1980, earthworks began. Under the watchful eye of Trustee, John Bush, the foundations were laid in May of that year and work progressed rapidly. Due to Paddy O'Donoghue's sudden death, in his memory upon completion, the trustees decided to name the new hall the "A.J. "Paddy" O'Donoghue Hall, as a tribute to his 47 years tireless devotion to the Noble Park Public Hall.

The Hall suffered a blow several years later when a fire broke out in the upstairs area causing several thousand dollars in damages. This combined with another decade or so of required maintenance eventually saw the lease of the hall and complex pass back to the Council in order to get the much needed work and renovations done.

With everyone moved out of the complex by the end of 2004, demolition of the A J O’Donoghue hall occurred over the holiday period and the building then became a construction site for the next 16 months. The official opening of the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre on May 13th 2006 and was a memorable occasion that was well attended, ensuring that the Public Hall and Complex would continue to be a mainstay of Noble Park for generations to come.

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Second Showgrounds, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, 1940s

Second Showgrounds, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, 1950s/1960s, 

With the market at the bottom and Clow street running up the right side.

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Dandenong Baths/Pool and Drill Hall, Princes Hwy, Dandenong, undated.

By December 1910, Mrs. Orgill, a public spirited lady interested in the project, had already collected £100 towards the £310 it was estimated it would cost to build the baths.

This stood about where the new playground on Princes Hwy (DandenongPark) stands.

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Dandenong Coffee Palace, 18 George Street, Dandenong.,undated.

Situated opposite Dandenong Railway Station on George Street. Exact year taken not known, Picture of Proprietress Mrs Bowman and an unknown girl/


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Dandenong Hospital, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, around 1942.

Not long after it was completed. (This is the best image presently available to us) In 1939 the decision was made to purchase land on Cleeland street for the purpose of constructing the Dandenong and District Hospital, before this a number of Private hospitals operated in Dandenong including the Murray House Private Hospital located on the corner of Scott and Thomas streets. On the corner of Wilson and Langhorne streets, near St James Anglican Church, Merlin private hospital operated.

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Renfree Family Homestead, 21 Robinson Street, Dandenong, Picture dated 1967.

William Pryn Renfree was said to be the very first white child born in Dandenong, however this has been debated at times as it's most likely that there were others born in Dandenong but perhaps not actually documented due to varying factors of the times.

The Renfree Family Homestead had a 'return verandah', a typical style at the time that went across the front of the house and continued down one or both sides of the house and a decorative entrance.

For several years William successfully owned and conducted the store that would later be owned and operated by Mr J. Crump. He was a member of the Dandenong Shire Council for many years and at one time was even Shire President, he was also a very prominent and valuable member of the Dandenong Methodist Church and was even the Sunday School Superintendent for 27 years.

Renfree was an enthusiastic lawn bowler and was a leading member of the Dandenong and Caulfied clubs, even distinguishing himself in the Sydney Lawn Bowls circles. In late 1910 Mr & Mrs W.P. Renfree prepared to leave Dandenong to live elsewhere. William died in 1927 at the age of 75 years and was survived by his widow Adelaide Anne Renfree (nee Cadle), son William Lindsey Renfree and daughter Adelaide Frances Moore (nee Renfree)

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Lomsdale Street, Dandenong, 1960s.

The 1960s were were looking like prosperous times when this article was published in the Dandenong Journal on the 19th of January 1949.

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BIG ENGINEERING FIRM BUYS 30 ACRE FACTORY SITE AT DANDENONG

Ideal Locate At Junction Of Two Highways PROJECT WILL EMPLOY 300-400 MEN IN TWO YEARS WORK FOR 1,000—1,200 MEN BY 1960

A BIG ENGINEERING concern is negotiating for a 30-acre factory site at the junction of the Princes Highway and the South Gippsland Highway on the outskirts of Dandenong. The land is bordered on one side by the Princes Highway and on the other by the Gippsland railway line, and extends back to the Eumemmering Creek. Proximity to the main highways, the railway and the town make the site an ideal one for the purpose. By 1960 the factory will have a pay-roll of between 1,000 and 1,200 and it should be a great asset to the town. •Strangely enough, although situated almost in Dandenong, the site is in the Berwick and Cranbourne Shires.

The proposal has been “in the air” -for quite a time, having been mentioned at a meeting of the Dandenong* Chamber of Commerce some months ago, but first concrete information was contained in the following letter from Phillip R. Claridge, Hassell and Mc-Connell, architects, of Adelaide, which came before the Berwick Council on Monday: “This letter is confirmation of our concerning the establishing of a factory in Section 25, Crown Allotment 15,.. discussions of the 10th January last Cranibourne Riding, in the Shire of Cranbourne, and C.A. 16 and 18 Berwick Riding in the Shire of Berwick. The undertaking will be of an engineering nature and will ultimately employ, in 1960, between 1,000 and 1,200 workers. However, an inital staff of approximately one-third of' the ultimate, is anticipated in two years The proposed buildings will be constructed in accordance with the local rand Uniform Building Regulations. The industry is not of a noxious nature.

Our clients are anxious to finalise purchase of the land and would appreciate written assurance .by January 20th, that your shire approves of the land being used for industrial purposes.” *“It “It should be a jolly good thing,” remarked Engineer Ron Chambers. “We will get the rates and Dandenong gets the services.” Crs. G. Rae and Greaves moved that the necessary approval be given subject to the -industry not being of a" noxious nature. ANOTHER FACTORY OPPOSITE? Cr. G. Rae said that he had heard that another concern had bought land on the opposite side of the Highway for a factory. The engineer pointed out that with the establishment of these new industries in their territory they should have a good case to put up to the Housing Commission for the erection of houses along the high land bordering the highway on the road to Hallam.

Dandenong Journal, on 19th of January 1949 , found on Trove.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/

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Private Hospital, Mason Street, Dandenong, September 1969.

Before the opening of the Public Hospital in the early 1940s, Dandenong relied on the services offered by their local G.P. or one of the handful of privately-owned and operated hospitals such as this one on Mason Street, Dandenong. Medicine varied with each Doctor or Hospital in this period, often being made for the patient specifically.

This particular private hospital was constructed on part of the property formally known as Trimby Homestead and Gardens. Trimby Homestead had been an 18sqm brick home with gardens that was a family home prior to 1967 and had been demolished sometime in 1968-1969.

The freehold of the property had been purchased by a Dromana businessman and initial construction of the 34 bed Private Hospital had begun in September 1968. The hospital was built with the intention of catering for all age groups including convalescents.

Upon opening it was known as Dandenong Private Hospital. It was leased by a Mr & Mrs A. Haworth, with Mrs Haworth holding the position of Matron. The building was there for over 30 years surviving through until 2001 when the 'Revitalizing Central Dandenong' initiative took effect resulting in the removal of multiple buildings in the surrounding area including the former Private Hospital.


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